Alexei Viktorovich Kasatonov

When Russian players were finally allowed to play in the National Hockey League Kasatonov, by this time 30 years old, made the leap. He went to New Jersey to join the Devils, and had an immediate comfort level because Fetisov also joined the club at the same time. In 1990-91, Kasatonov posted a career-best 41 points for the Devils then followed it up the next year by scoring 12 goals, also a best, and 40 points. However when he slipped to just 17 points the following year the Devils felt that perhaps the veteran had begun to fade. That summer they left Kasatonov available in the league expansion draft and he was a no-brainer pick for the new Anaheim franchise.

In Anaheim he joined the Mighty Ducks and lent the team great leadership while chipping in 22 points in 55 games. While his first season in California drew to a close many clubs in search of an upgrade on their defense for the playoffs began to contact the Ducks. With Kasatonov's contract due to expire and the Ducks well out of the playoffs, a trade made sense. At the deadline Anaheim traded Kasatonov to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Maxim Bets and a draft pick.

Kasatonov played the final eight games of the 1993-94 season with the Blues and managed two assists. Despite scoring two goals in the playoffs for St. Louis, he couldn't avoid the club's early exit in four straight games.

As a free agent that summer Kasatonov was free to chose whatever team he wanted and he elected to go to Boston. With the Bruins he teamed with Canadian defensive legend Ray Bourque but after playing the lock out year with Boston his play began to tail off. After scoring just one point in 19 games for the Bruins in 1995-96 he was assigned to the minors. Kasatonov played 16 games for Providence of the American Hockey League and chipped in nine points before deciding to return to his homeland.

The 1996-97 was spent with his former club team back in Russia, and while it was successful, it was also the final year of his illustrious playing career.

With his playing days behind him, Kasatonov remained involved with the game by working with the Russian Hockey Federation. He served as the General Manager of the 1998 Olympic team that captured the silver medal in Nagano, Japan.

Kasatonov also received the great tribute of being named an "Honoured Master of Sport" in Russia.